as in obnoxious
not pleasing or likable; causing you to feel dislike of someone or something
He has an off-putting manner. The restaurant's garish décor was off-putting.
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Recent Examples of off-putting
Networking is the common name for this process, although that term (and the practice) can sometimes feel off-putting to the very people who need to do it.
—
Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
And then there's his relatively youthful age of 34 - which was part of his appeal for young voters, but more off-putting to chief executives who may be decades older.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Vecna looks to the sky as a particularly off-putting tentacle emerges and attaches to Will’s mouth, pumping an unknown substance into his body.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
With off-putting brusqueness, the acupuncturist sticks needles into my head and left leg, leaves the room—and appears to forget all about me.
—Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-putting
Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
And then there's his relatively youthful age of 34 - which was part of his appeal for young voters, but more off-putting to chief executives who may be decades older.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Vecna looks to the sky as a particularly off-putting tentacle emerges and attaches to Will’s mouth, pumping an unknown substance into his body.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
With off-putting brusqueness, the acupuncturist sticks needles into my head and left leg, leaves the room—and appears to forget all about me.
—Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-putting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-putting
Adjective
-
This latest fight starts with a comment Natalie makes at work that is both obnoxious and innocuous.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
-
On the other hand, what made her an obnoxious little sister served her well in school.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
At one point a couple of years ago, Microsoft even used malware-like pop-ups in a disgusting overreach.—
Tom Warren,
The Verge,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Over time, ice can absorb unpleasant odors from the freezer.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Hair shedding, rashes, dark spots, night sweats, and other unpleasant changes on top of taking care of a new baby (and sleep deprivation) are a lot to deal with.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
-
There are also two stepsisters, neither ugly but one quite bratty.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Pasquantino later deleted the post, likely because fans noted his expectation about the awful things the Royals could theoretically say about him.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2026
-
His administration’s actions in Minneapolis have been awful.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But Pretti’s last seconds were captured from multiple angles, in sickening footage widely distributed on social media and by news organizations.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As buried family secrets and small-town lies emerge, Courtney must decide who to trust before a shocking revelation changes everything.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Louisiana State Police announced on Saturday the capture of all eight inmates who escaped early Friday in a shocking East Carroll Parish jailbreak.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That this hideous crime was executed by 15-year-old young adults is horrifying.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Not all of whom are entirely hideous.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off-putting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-putting. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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